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The question from Jesus
ˈWho do you say I amˉ
is the same question that
Cosimo and Damian had to answer. It is also the same question that Tho-
mas Merton and each of us must answer. After the enlightened response
of Peter, ˈYou are the anointed one of Godˉ, Jesus went on to explain that
the ˈSon of Man must sufferˉ for he knew he would die on the Cross. Je-
sus is a true radical as he explains that the path to God involves suffering
and death.
Cosimo and Damian shared in that sufferingˁfirst by fireˁthen beheaded.
And, Thomas Merton also experienced suffering during his lifetime as he
struggled with his own inner demons, and, after conversion, with his own
community as he strived to balance his contemplative calling, his insights
on the importance of various spiritual traditions, and his call to write.
Merton˅s life ended abruptly in suffering as he was electrocuted by acci-
dent. Like the saints of the Early ChurchˁCosimo and Damianˁor the
everyday saints of our own ageˁwe are each invited to a new life in
Christ. So, begin anew todayˎtake time to answer Jesus˅ most personal
question,
ˈWho do you say I am?ˉ
P
RAYER
Our glory and our hopeˁWe are the Body of Christ. Christ loves us and
espouces us as His own flesh. Isn˅t that enough for us? But we do not
really believe it. No!
Be content, be content. We are the Body of Christ. We have found Him,
He has found us. We are in Him, He is in us. There is nothing further to
look for, except for the deepening of this life we already possess. Be con-
tent.
Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours
_______
A
NGELA
H
OWELL
Parishioner